Woman wanted for vehicular assault

A woman is wanted for vehicular assault after Spokane police said she crashed her car, injuring her passenger, then asked an officer, "Can I leave my car like that?"

Michelle R. Purkey, 47, smelled of alcohol when police responded to a crash at North Crestline Street and East Illinois Avenue about 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 5.

Purkey's Ford Escort crashed into a power pole, and her passenger, Louis Austin, suffered a broken nose, broken teeth, broken arm, two broken ankles and a fractured pelvis, according to court documents.

Police said Purkey admitted to drinking but was argumentative and said she was leaving before her arrest.

Purkey was to report to jail for booking after her arrangement, but she never did, leading to an arrest warrant that calls for her to be held without bail. Purkey last gave an address in the 700 block of West Maxwell Avenue in Spokane.

Anyone with information on her current location is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or submit tips online.